Serpell Benjamin G, Cook Christian J
NSW Waratahs, Sydney, Australia.
University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Stress. 2021 Nov;24(6):1057-1063. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1912004. Epub 2021 Apr 26.
Reproducibility of social research is ambitious, and evidence supporting this argument is increasing in psychology and social science research. This may be attributed to, in part, the high volume of qualitative research methodology used in social research along with difficulties in the reliability of measurement techniques. Therefore, use of more and better objective measures to complement existing techniques in social research are necessitated. To highlight this point we explored the success of give-get nudge in adults. Nudge being a subtle intervention to influence choice, without restricting choice. We also wanted to explore whether testosterone and cortisol, as objective psychophysiological markers, could explain nudge outcome. Participants were asked what they would like to get for Christmas, or what they would like to give. They were then presented with two chocolates, one big and one small, and instructed to take as a "reward" for their participation with the knowledge there was one other participant to take chocolate after them. It was hypothesized that those asked to give something for Christmas would take the smaller reward and vice versa. Salivary testosterone and cortisol were measured prior to, and 10 min after completing the exercise. The nature of the nudge itself did not predict behavior, but the hormone measures did. We speculate that testosterone may focus an individual on the nature of the question (nudge), while cortisol encourages self-focus. These results support the need to combine existing social research techniques with more objective markers.
社会研究的可重复性目标远大，并且在心理学和社会科学研究中，支持这一观点的证据越来越多。这在一定程度上可能归因于社会研究中使用的定性研究方法数量众多，以及测量技术可靠性方面存在的困难。因此，有必要使用更多更好的客观测量方法来补充社会研究中的现有技术。为了突出这一点，我们探究了成人给予-获取式助推的成效。助推是一种微妙的干预方式，旨在影响选择，而不限制选择。我们还想探究睾酮和皮质醇作为客观的心理生理标志物，是否能够解释助推的结果。参与者被问及他们想要在圣诞节得到什么，或者他们想要给予什么。然后，给他们展示两块巧克力，一大一小，并指示他们作为参与的“奖励”拿走一块，同时告知他们之后还有另一名参与者会拿走巧克力。假设那些被要求在圣诞节给予某物的人会拿走较小的奖励，反之亦然。在完成练习之前和之后10分钟测量唾液睾酮和皮质醇。助推本身的性质并不能预测行为，但激素测量可以。我们推测，睾酮可能会使个体关注问题（助推）的本质，而皮质醇则会促使自我关注。这些结果支持了将现有的社会研究技术与更多客观标志物相结合的必要性。
